Sewer obstacle remover



Jan. 2?, 1953 v, M K 2,626,404

SEWER OBSTACLE REMOVER Filed July 9, 1947 FEW.

\ I a l 56.2 INVENTOR.

ROBERT M MARKS A 7' TORNEYJ Patented Jan. 27, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SEWER OBSTACLE REMOVER Application July 9, 1947, Serial No. 759,800

2 Claims.

The present invention relates to devices for cleaning pipes, toilet bowls, lavatories, drains, sewers and the like, and particularly to devices or" this character which employ gas under pressure.

The problem of how to quickly and efficiently remove obstructions from clogged pipes, drains, water traps of wash bowls, toilets, sewers, etc., is a reoccurring one for which a variety of different solutions have been proposed. Among these are the familiar rubber cup plunger or force pump commonly known as the plumbers helper, wire snakes, and devices for applying fluid under pressure. Each of these devices has its own characteristic difiiculties and, among other things, are rather slow and generally laborious in operation so that a great deal of time is consumed in their use.

The principal object of this invention is to provide an improved device for applying fluid pressure to pipes, sewers, drains, or the like for removing obstacles therefrom; the improved device comprising means for rapidly creating a relatively large nuid pressure and applying the same, in the nature of a blast, to the pipe, sewer, drain or the like.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved device for applying fluid pressure to pipes, sewers, drains, or the like for removing obstacles therefrom; the improved device comprising means adapted to employ an explosive charge for developing the fluid pressure. I

An additional object or" the invention is to pro vide an improved device for applying a fluid pressure to pipes, sewers, drains, or the like for removing obstacles therefrom comprising means adapted to employ an explosive charge for producing the fluid pressure, and including means for reducing that pressure to a safe value for direct application to the pipe, sewer, drain, or the like so that the latter is not injured thereby.

A further object is to provide an improved apparatus or" the character described in the preceding objects, the improved apparatus being further characterized by its extreme simplicity, ease of operation, and lack of valves.

The invention further resides in certain novel features, details of construction, and combinations and arrangement of parts, and further objects and advantages thereof will become more clearly apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains from the following description of a preferred embodiment, described with reference to the accompanying drawing in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a device constructed in accordance with this invention;

2 Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view taken substantially on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a cross-section taken substantially on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a cross-section taken substantially on the line 44 of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 5 is a cross-section taken substantially on the line 5-43 of Fig. 2.

The preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a hOllOW body member ID provided with means for supporting an explosive charge and means for conducting or applying the gas pressure produced upon explosion of the charge to a clogged pipe, sewer or the like, which it is desired to open. 'lhe illustrated body member In includes an elongated metallic tubular member ii, the lower end of which is closed by a metallic muzzle member l2 wnose upper or inner end is inserted within the lower end of the tubular member I i and welded thereto to provide a fluidtight joint. This muzzle member is provided with a substantially centrally located bore l3, the inner end of which is preierably enlarged to a substantially funnel shaped opening I l communieating with the interior of the tubular member I l.

The opening I l and the bore l3 form the outlet openmg or the body member for transmitting the nuid pressure created in the latter, as hereinafter described, to the pipe or the like, which is to be cleared. To facilitate this transmission of fluid pressure, the outer or lower end of the muzzle member I2 is'reouced in diameter forming a cylindrical portion IE, to which is affixed a means for connecting the body member to an opening in the drain or pipe which is to be cleared. This means is illustrated as comprising a substantially cup-shaped member [6 formed of rubber or other resilient material and resembles the rubber portion of the well-known force pump or plumbers helper now commonly employed for opening drains or the like, the opening through the muzzle member l2 communicating with the space within the confines of the member IS.

The upper end of the tubular member II is closed by a metallic breech member ll which is illustrated as being of substantial length, with the lower portion thereof located within the'tubular member I l and welded thereto to provide a fluid-tight joint. The breech member has a centrally located bore I8 extending therethrough, the inner end of which is preferably tapered or otherwise reduced in diameter and provided with flutes or other grooves for a purpose to be hereinafter described. The breech member H also extends beyond the top of the tubular member II and is provided with a portion IQ of reduced diameter having external screw threads for attaching a firing mechanism thereto. The upper surface of this portion IQ of the breech member is preferably recessed substantially concentrically with respect to the bore I8 to receive and position an explosive charge such as a blank cartridge or the like. As shown in Fig. 2, the rim of the cartridge is positioned in the recess provided in the breech member and the shank of the cartridge extends freely into the upper end of the bore l8.

The firing mechanism comprises a cap or top member 2| having a substantially cylindrical lower portion 22 provided with an opening having screw threads, the cap being detachably secured to the breech member H by threading the cap upon the portion IQ of the latter. To facilitate the application and removal of the cap or top 2|, the enlarged portion 22 thereof is provided with suitable handle means, here shown as oppositely extending rods 23 and 24 secured within recesses in the portion 22. These handle rods not only assist the application and removal of the cap or top 2| but also provide a means for holding the device when in operation.

The upper portion of the cap or top 2| is preferably of smaller diameter than the portion 22 and is provided with a longitudinally extending bore 25, the outer end of which is counterbored to a large diameter and internally threaded to receive a threaded plug 26. Communicating with the lower end of the bore 25 is a bore of relatively small diameter, the lower end of which communicates with the opening in the lower portion 22 of the cap into which the upper portion IQ of the breech member is screwed. Slidably disposed within the bore 25 is a cylindrical p member 21 Whose diameter substantially conforms with that of the bore 25, the lower end of the plug being provided with a pin 28 adapted to enter and extend through the previously mentioned bore of relatively small diameter communicating with the lower end of the bore 25. This pin 28 and the member or plug 21 constitute the movable member or portion of the firing pin mechanism for the device and may be constructed in several pieces suitably connected together, or in one piece as shown. Between the top of the slidable plug 21 and the lower end of the stationary plug 26 is positioned a compression spring 29 normally urging the slidable plug and firing pin to the position indicated in Fig. 2, in which position the pin portion 28 extends through the relatively small diameter opening in the cap member with the lower end of the pin 28 projecting slightly therebelow to engage the detonator normally provided in the cartridge 20.

To operate the firing pin, any suitable means may be employed. In the preferred embodiment, the cap portion 2| is provided with a longitudinally extending slot 36) communicating with the bore 25, and extending through this slot is a handle or knob 3|, the inner end of which is provided with threads and screwed into a correspondingly threaded opening in the side of the plu 21. The upper end of the slot is provided with a suitable transversely extending recess 32, in which the handle or knob 3| may be positioned to secure it in a raised or cocked position against the force exerted by the spring 29, th latter being compressed as the said handle 3| and plug 21 are raised.

As will be seen from Fig. 2, the preferred construction is such that the interior of the tubular member I provides an expansion chamber which may be relatively large with respect to the volume of the cartridge, the size of this chamber being determined by the nature of the cartridge 20 and the desired pressure to be exerted through the bore 13 of the muzzle. The cartridge 20 is preferably a blank cartridge such as employed in revolvers or rifies, and the device is so designed as to take cartridges of standard caliber, for example 22, 38 or 45. However, the device may also be employed with explosive charges or cartridges which are especially designed therefor instead of employing blank cartridges of standard caliber. In the event especially designed charges or cartridges are employed, or when standard cartridges of smaller caliber are used, the expansion chamber provided by the tubular member I may be of smaller size or completely eliminated depending upon the pressure developed by the particular explosive charge or cartridge when fired.

The operation of the device may be briefly summarized as follows. The cap or top 2| is removed and a suitable explosive cartrid e 20 is inserted in the breech member F, with the shank of the cartridge extending into the upper end of the bore Hi. The cap 2! is then secured to the breech H by threading the former upon the latter and the device is ready for operation. The cup shaped member i6 is next positioned over the opening of the pipe drain, sewer, or the like which is clogged, the cup-shaped member l6 being pressed against the material surrounding the opening so as to effect a sealing relationship therewith, this being readily effected by applying force to the handles 23 and 24. The firing pin may then be elevated against the compression of spring 29 by engaging the handle or knob 3|. When th latter is released, the spring 29 will force the plug 21 and pin 23 downwardly with sufiicient force to cause the pin 28 to engage the detonating portion or" the cartridge 20 discharging the latter. Conversely, the firing pin may be elevated or cocked prior to applying the cupshaped member Hi to the drain opening, and retained in cocked position by inserting the handle or knob 3| in the recess 32, th firing pin being released when desired by simply rotating the knob slightly to disengage it from the recess 32. Hence, both hands of the operator may be employed for holding the device with the cupshaped member in firm engagement about the opening of the pipe, drain, or sewer, the firing pin being tripped or released by a slight movement of a single finger or other portion of the body.

The gases formed by the exploding cartridge produce a very large fluid pressure, which if directly applied to a pipe, sewer, or the like might damage the latter or the water traps associated therewith, especially if the cartridge employed be of large caliber. This possibility of damage is removed by providing the expansion chamber in communication with the cartridge 20 so that the fiuid pressure developed by the firing of the cartridge may expand and be correspondingly diminished. However, in order to apply this pressure in a directed stream to the opening of the pipe or drain, the outlet from the expansion chamber is preferably of reduced diameter with respect to the diameter of the chamber. Hence, the pressure developed by the cartridge is reduced by expansion within the tubular member II and is applied to the pipe or the like which is to be cleared within a relatively short interval of time in the form of a blast or impulse of fluid pressure. Since the cup-shaped member 16 is in sealing engagement around the opening of the pipe, drain, or the like to which the device is applied, this blast of fluid pressure will be transmitted through the interior of the drain by the liquid and/ or solids trapped therein, thereby forcing an opening through, or completely removing, any obstruction therein.

As previously mentioned, the lower end of the bore I8 is preferably tapered or otherwise restricted in diameter. This is for the purpose of preventing the free passage therethrough of the slug of a bullet, if the latter should be used in place of a blank cartridge, thereby preventing possible damage to the plumbing and also preventing the use of the device as a firearm. In order to permit the free passage of the gases developed by the explosion of the cartridge 20 about the slug or bullet, if one should lodge within the tapered portion of the bore l8, this latter portion of the bore is preferably fluted or otherwise provided with openings. Alternatively, the bores 13 and [8 may be placed out of alignment to prevent passage of a slug through the former.

It will be observed that the device herein disclosed is extremely simple in construction, the moving parts of which consist only of the firing pin 21, 28 and the compression spring 29, both of which are so located as to be above the surface of the water in a drain or the like when the device is in use. No valves are employed, since it is not necessary to accumulate a fiuid pressure in a reservoir as in prior art devices, the entire necessary pressure being substantially instantaneously developed when the cartridge 20 explodes. Therefore, considerable time is saved. Moreover, the pressure developed by the device is substantially the same each time it is employed and doe not decrease with use as in devices depending upon valves for accumulating a fluid pressure and in which the valves are subject to deterioration and consequent leaking thereof.

While the tubular member H, muzzle member 12 and breech member I! have been illustrated and described as welded together, it will be readily apparent that these parts may be secured together by other suitable means such as brazing or the like; or if detachability is desired, screw threads, bayonet joints, or other known securing means may be employed. Also, one or more of these members may be formed integrally with the others. Other variations in the details of construction of the preferred embodiment of the invention, and other advantages and uses thereof in addition to those set forth, will readily suggest themselve to those skilled in the art.

Therefore, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the exact details of construction, to the use, or to the mode of operation herein disclosed and illustrated but only a required by the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A device for clearing clogged pipes or the like comprising an elongated straight hollow member having open ends, a breech member closing one end of said hollow member, said breech member having an opening therethrough communicating with the interior of said hollow member and adapted to receive an explosive cartridge, a muzzle member closing the other end of said hollow member and having an opening therethrough continuously communicating with the interior of said hollow member, hollow resilient means surrounding the outer end of said muzzle member and adapted to engage about an opening, of the pipe to be cleared in sealing relationship to provide unobstructed communication between. the interior of said pipe and the opening in said muzzle member, handle means for said device adjacent said breech member, firing mechanism supported by said breech member including a movable member adapted to engage and fire a cartridge placed in said breech member, spring means normally urging said movable member into engagement with a cartridge placedin said breech member, a manually actuatable means connected with said movable member for; withdrawing the latter from engagement with the cartridge against the force of said spring means, and means adjacent said handle means for releasably retaining said movable member in said withdrawn position.

2. A device of the type defined in claim 1 wherein the said opening through said breech member is grooved and tapers inwardly to thereby prevent passage of a solid object discharged by said cartridge while permitting free passage of gases.

ROBERT V. MARKS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,040,276 Coleman Oct. 8, 1912 1,328,088 Lutz Jan. 13, 1920 1,356,648 Mogue Oct. 26, 1920 1,388,854 Dezendorf Aug. 30, 1921 2,172,124 Gilbert Sept. 5, 1939 2,207,936 Nardone July 16, 1940 2,300,319 Smith Oct. 27. 1942 

